Glued flap box folding machine



Dec. 12, 1961 Filed Feb. 13. 1958 W.v D. FRENCH ET AL GLUED FLAP BOX FOLDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NI l l Hmm" lllll'l 0 @MM/f M Dec. 12, 1961 w. D. FRENCH ETAL 3,012,482

GLUED FLAP BOX FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 13, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 12, 1961 w, D. FRENCH ET AL 3,012,482

GLUED FLAP BOX FOLDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 13, 1958 W' JE L@ Muv/ Dec. 1,2, 1961 w. D. FRENCH ET AL 3,012,482

GLUED FLAP Box FOLDING MACHINE:

Filed Feb. 13, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 States 3,012,482 Patented Dec. 12, 1961 3,012,482 GLUED FLAI BX FOLDING MACHINE William D. French, Moorestown, and James Blair Rodman, Burlington, NJ., assignors to Weyerhaeuser Company, rfaccina, Wash., a corporation of Washington Filed Feb. 1?, 1958, Ser. No. 715,051 l 2 Claims. (Cl. 93-49) This invention relates to glued flap box blank folding machines and is an improvement upon the machine of this type shown in the F. J. Spiess Patent No. 2,637,251, dated May 5, 1953. More particularly the invention relates to adjusting means for that portion of the Spiess machine immediately following (as the box blank travels) the rolls which score, slot, and cut the box blank; namely, that portion of the machine which includes the initial portion of the lower main belt conveyor and associated lower guide and the complementary upper guide rails and upper auxiliary belt conveyor operative to support and conduct the box blank during the first folding operations upon the box blank.

The folding machine, as disclosed in the Spiess patent, has a screw shaft for adjusting the leading ends of the lower guides and conveyor belts and `a similar shaft for adjusting the trailing ends of the lower guides and conveyor belts; these shafts on the operators side being connected by a chain and these shafts on the drive side also being connected by a chain so that the leading ends and trailing ends of the lower guides and belts move simultaneously upon rotation of the screw shafts. lt will be understood that the operators side is that side upon which all the rail control switches (later to be described) are located and the drive side is the opposite side upon which the rail drive motors (later to be described) are located.

rEhe machine is also provided with a pair of screw shafts for adjusting the upper guide and conveyor on the operators side and a similar pair of screw shafts for adjusting the upper guides land conveyor belts on the drive side. The two upper shafts on each side are coupled by a chain and are also coupled by chains to their respective lower screw shafts. There is provided a crank on one of the shafts of each side for manual -simultaneous adjustment of the screw shafts on each side of the machine. By the foregoing means the guides and conveyor belts, bo-th upper and lower of each side, are simultaneously adjustable to accommodate the machine for folding operations upon different sizes of box blanks.

In adjusting the positions of the upper and lower guides of each side it is essential that the proper lateral or horizontal positions of the lower and upper guides, particularly .the latter, of each side have a definite relation in order that the folding be accomplished exactly as desired. rlfhis is necessary in order that the folded aps and the corresponding portions of the other side of the blanks be properly aligned for gluing the so-called manufacturers joints. This joint must be accurately made so that proper alignment of the flaps of the box results from the folding. This is true even though the folding machine contains additional means for assuring proper squaring of the box.

According to this invention four motors are provided for turning the adjusting screws for adjusting the positions ofthe upper and lower guides and conveyors. These take the place of the two cranks shown in the Spiess patent and are so arranged that any one or more of these four motors can be connected to the'source of power and operated either together7 i.e. simultaneously, or independently. vContrary to expectations and general belief, it has been discovered that the motor driving the two upper screw shafts for controlling the upper guide and associated conveyor for one side can be connected in circuit for simultaneous operation either to the right or to the left, i.e. in or out, with the motor driving and lower screw shaft controlling the lower guide and conveyor of the Same side without upsetting the desired and necessary relationship in position between the upper and lower guides. it would normally be expected that if the shafts were driven by separate motors connected for simultaneous operation, the pre-set and necessary relationship between the upper and lower guides would be upset. By careful selection of the motors however, it has been found that this relationship is not upset and that more rapid adjustment of the upper and lower rails can be accomplished by simultaneous operation either to the right or left by the driving motors upon the operators side and/or upon the drive side. In fact, in many instances it is possible lto connect all four motors for simultaneous operation once the relationship has been es-tablished and all four motors may be simultaneously operated to the right or left to accommodate the machine for operation upon different sizes of blanks. This is of extreme importance because the setting up time for change-over from one size of box blank to another is an important item in the cost o-f operation in the blank folding of glued llap boxes. The present invention also provides for independent operation of each motor in the event that a different relationship is found desirable between the upper and lower guides as is sometimes necessary when box blanks of different corrugated boards, that is such as A, B, or C flute, are used or even during runs upon the same board when the scoring of the blanks changes with respect tothe tluting of the board. A better understanding of the details of construction will be had from the following description when read in connection with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of that portion of the machine of the Spiess patent of which this invention is an improvement, certain elements such as the upper and lower rails and conveyor belts being omitted for clarity of showing of the other parts;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation (left side of FIGURE l) of that portion of the Spiess machine shown in FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation partly in section (bottom side as shown in FIGURE l) of the same portion of the machine after the box llaps have been partially folded; and

FIGURE 4 is `a diagrammatic wiring diagram illustrating1 the electrical connections to the four rail motor contro s.

Referring to the drawings, it will be appreciated that only that portion of the machine of the Spiess Patent No. 2,637,251 is illustrated which relates to the improvement of this invention. Reference is made to the above patent for a disclosure and showing of those portions of the Spiess machine not affected directly by this invention except as to final results. More specifically that portion of the Spiess machine is shown having to do with guide rails and conveyor means for the box -blank as it leaves the scoring, llap cutting, and crushing roll-s and enters the first folding stages. At this stage the box blank BB is supported and conveyed in the Spiess patent by lower parallel horizontal rails 25 and 26, similarly numbered in this application, which rails support conveyor belts 67 and 68 and upper brackets 8l and 82 and associated upper belts 64 and 65.

In4 applicants invention, -as illustrated, the lower guides 25 and 26 support conveyor belts 27 and 28, the guides and belts being in turn supported upon carriers 29 and 3h respectively. The carriers are mounted for horizontal movement upon a transverse guide rail 31 and are under control, that is are moved by, .two screw shafts 33 and 34 respectively. Screw shaft 33 threadedly engages carrier 29 for moving the guide 25 and belt 27 on the operators side of the machine whereas screw shaft 34 threadedly engages carrier 30 and thereby moves guide 26 and belt 28 upon the drive side of the machine. Rotation of screw shafts 33 and 34 causes lateral or horizontal adjustment of the lower guides and conveyor belts for adjusting these elements to accommodate the machine to different widths of box blanks. These two shafts are also chain coupled to forward shafts (not shown) corresponding to shafts 90 and 90a of the Spiess patent for moving the opposite ends, that is the trailing ends, of the lower guides by chains 35 and 36 corresponding to chains 91 and 91a of the Spiess patent. Upon the drive side the ends of shafts 33 and 34 carry sprockets 37 and 38 and are driven by electric motors 39 and 49 respectively through chains 4i and 42. Thus motor 39 causes horizontal movement of the lower guide 25 on the operators side and motor 4t) causes horizontal movement of the lower guide 26 on the drive side of the machine.

During this stage of box blank folding, the folding of the flaps is made about upper guides 51 on the operators side and 52 on the drive side. These guides are carried by two arms 53 and two arms 54 depending from two upper carriers or brackets 55 and two upper brackets 56 on the operators and drive sides respectively, corresponding to frames or brackets 8l and 82 of the Spiess patent. In the illustrated machine the arms 54 carry rollers which engage the top of the blank instead of upper conveyor belts as shown in the Spiess patent. These four brackets and accordingly the upper guides are slidably mounted for horizontal movement upon two spaced horizontal guide rods S7 and 58 supported from the main side frames and pedestal 59 on the operators side and pedestal 60 on the drive side respectively. 1nstead of one arm S3 and one arm 54, one bracket 55 and one bracket 56 on each side as shown in the Spiess patent, two such arms and brackets are employed for each side and those of each side are secured together by tie rods 61 on the operators side and 62 on the drive side.

Lateral or horizontal movement of the upper guides, arms, and brackets is accomplished by screw shafts 63 and 64 which threadedly engage ears, extending from brackets 5S on the operators side and screw shafts 65 and 66 which threadedly engage brackets 56 on the drive side. Screw shafts 63 and 64 are coupled together for simultaneous operation by `sprockets on the shaft and a coupling drive chain 67 whereas screw shafts 65 and 66 are connected by sprockets on the shaft and a connecting drive chain 68. For rotating shafts 63 and 64 an electric motor 70 is connected to shaft 64 by a flexible coupling 71. For rotating shafts 65 and 66 the former shaft is connected to an electric motor 72 through a flexible coupling 73. Obviously the motors may be coupled by shafting or drive chains instead of iiexible couplings if desired.

In general the four motors 39, 40, 70, and 72 are controlled by switches 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. Switches 1 through 4 are on and oli? toggle switches connecting a selected motor or motors to the power lines. Switch 1 is connected to and controls motor 72 which is connected to the top rail mechanism of the drive side. Switch 2 is connected to and controls motor 70 of the top rail mechanism, operators side. Switch 3 is connected to and controls motor connected to the lower rail mechanism of the drive side. Switch 4 is connected to and controls motor 39 connected to the lower rail mechanism on the operators side.

Switches 5, 6, 7, and 8 are push button switches which must be held in and they control the direction of rotation of the selected motor or motors connected in circuit by operation of one or Imore of switches 1, 2, 3, and 4. Switch 5 when pushed inwardly causes rotation of the selected motors for moving the upper and/or lower guide rails, on the operating side, inwardly. Switch 6 when pushed inwardly causes rotation of the selected motor or motors to produce inward movement of the upper and/or lower rails on the drive side. Switch 7 when held in causes outward movement of the upper and/or lower rails on the operators side and switch 8 when held in causes outward movement of the upper and/or lower rails of the drive side. ln other words the four on and ofi toggle switches 1, 2, 3, and 4 are used to put the desired motor or motors into the circuit. They do not have -to be held in place. Once the desired motor or motors have been selected it is then only necessary to press the desired in or out push button switches and hold them in until the movement wanted has taken place. For example, if it is desired that the top rail operating 'side be moved, toggle switch 1 is moved to the on position and the in or out switch 5 or 7 is pressed and held in until the desired in or out movement is accomplished.

The wiring diagram or rather that portion pertaining to the four rail motor controls is shown in FIGURE 4 which, being a typical layout familiar 4to those skilled in the art, will be described only briey. The source of power for running the four motors is derived from the three main lines L1, L2, and L3 which are under control of the main switch 75 and continue through the usual fuses 76 and are connected to a contactor box 77 for the four rail motors 39, 40, 70, and 72. The upper portion 7S of the contactor box includes controls for the motors 40 and 72 for the bottom and top rails, drive side, and the somewhat similar portion 79 immediately below portion 78 contains the controls for the motors 39 and 7@ controlling the bottoni and top rails on the operators side respectively. It has been found practical to use 440 volt, 3 phase supply. As will be seen from FIGURE 4, the necessary conductors extend from the contactor panels to the terminal block 80 and to the four toggle switches 1, 2, 3, and 4 and the four motors 39, 40, 70, and 72 which operate on 440 volts, and to the four direction switches 5, 6, 7, and 8 which operate on volts as shown in the wiring diagram.

By reason of these connections it is possible to set the switches 1 through S in such manner that:

(1) Each rail can be moved in or out independently,

(2) The top and bottom rails of the drive side can be moved in or out independently or simultaneously,

(3) The top and bottom rails of the operating side can be moved in or out independently or simultaneously, and

(4) All four rails, that is top and bottom rails for the drive and operating sides, can be moved independently or together, that is simultaneously.

The above operations can be accomplished by switching the various toggle switches 1, 2, 3, and 4 to on or olf positions and by pressing and holding the in or out switches 5, 6, 7, and S until the desired movement is accomplished As wired in FGURE 4, manipulation of one or more of the eight switches as shown in the table below will accomplish -the stated results.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that there has been provided a complete motorized drive and control for the four motors 39, 40, 70, and 72 which control permits independent movement of any one of the four rails either independently or simultaneously, and movement of any two or more of the four rails independently.

This is accomplished by manipulation of the proper switches. Thus the set-up time for changing the folding machine over from one size box blank to another is minimized and furthermore if independent adjustment of any one rail is necessary, either to accommodate the machine to a different size box blank or to make adjustment because of variations in the corrugated board of any one run, this also can be accomplished with minimum effort and minimum down time.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes may be made in the details of construction of the machine as described without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as dened in the appended claims,

What is claimed is:

1. In a box blank folding machine, a first upper rail for folding one side of the box blank, a second upper rail for folding the opposite side of said box blank, a first lower conveyor belt and supporting rail for said one side of said box blank, a second 'lower conveyor belt and supporting rail for said opposite side of said box blank, said rails and conveyor belts be-ing arranged to conduct box blanks through the folding operations and being mounted for horizontal adjustment for folding box blanks of various sizes, a iirst lower screw shaft engaging said rst lower supporting rail and having a rst motor attached thereto, a second lower screw shaft engaging said second lower rail and having 'a second motor Vattached thereto, said lower screw shafts and motors causing said horizontal movement of said lower rails and associated belts, a first upper screw shaft engaging said first upper rail and having a third motor attached thereto, a second upper screw shaft engaging said second upper rail and having a fourth motor attached thereto, said upper screw shafts and motors causing said horizontal movement of said upper rails, means to supply power to each of said four motors, means connecting said power supply means to each of said motors, connecting switches in each of said connecting means for individually connecting and disconnecting each of said motors from said means to supply power, first directional switches in the connecting means to vsaid first and third motors whereby said rst upper and lower rails may be moved selectively either singly or simultaneously in a unidirectional manner when their respective motors are connected to said means to supply power thereto, second directional switches in the connecting means to said second and fourth motors whereby said second upper and lower rails may be moved selectively either singly or simultaneously in a unidirectional manner when their respective motors are connected to said means to supply power.

2. A box blank folding machine as deiined in claim l including, in addition, a Vpairrof upper screw shafts for engaging each of the upper rails and means for driving each pair of said shafts engaging the rail on one side by one of said motors.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

